Mali coup: Bah Ndaw sworn in as civilian leader

 

Mali's new president has been sworn into office, five weeks after the overthrow of Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta.

Former Defence Minister Bah Ndaw, 70, was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, to head a transitional government until elections, which are expected in 18 months.

Col Goita is vice-president.

The appointment of a civilian president was a condition for the West African regional group, Ecowas, to lift the sanctions it imposed after the coup.

Stocks of goods are running low in the Malian capital, Bamako.

But after Mr Ndaw's inauguration, Ecowas officials said they would only lift the embargo after a civilian prime minister was also appointed.

BBC News

Nigeria Labour Unions Called off Strike, Electricity Tariffs Hike Suspended

 

Labour Unions in Nigeria have suspended their planned nationwide strike that was to begin on Monday, Labour Minister Festus Keyamo has said on Twitter.

The suspension follows overnight talks between the government and the unions.

The strike was to protest against the recent doubling of electricity bills, an increase in petrol price and high cost of living in the country, the BBC's Ishaq Khalid reports.

The government had said the measures were needed to shore up the economy which has been badly affected by the fall in global oil prices due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The minister said the electricity tariffs will now be suspended for two weeks and a committee formed to "examine the justification for the new policy".

BBC NEWS